The Day Your Screen Will Go Blank.

——————–If You are Not Ready——————-

Ok, this should be the last time for this. It will be June 12th, instead of February 17th for the switch over to Total Digital Broadcasting. Obama said he will sign it as soon as it is on his desk.

The administration said, more time was needed for some to get ready for the change over. Also, they ran out of money for the government coupons to help with the converter boxes. There is money in the Stimulus Package for the printing of more coupons.

This isn’t the first attempt at the total conversion, but if they don’t hit the June 12th date there is 4 years to get it. There is a 180 country mandate for digital conversion by August 2013. There was a plan for 2006.

WaPo

Four years ago, Congress mandated that they be converted to digital signals in 2006. That deadline was delayed until Feb. 17 over concern about issues including consumer confusion and lack of equipment.

Nearly all stations already broadcast digital and analog signals. Now, on June 12 broadcasters will be required by law to turn off their analog signals.

Wow, déjà vu all over again. This is a good thing in my view, however it will only hold it off for four months. One of the things I have been pointing out is finally being told by MSM, the digital signal over the air will not be much easier to pick up than analog.

Joyce Powell of the District and many other customers are discovering that simply using a converter box isn’t always enough to get reliable TV signals.

Source

How the Vote Went Down

Question: On Passage Bill: S 352

Vote description: Dtv Delay Act

Vote type: Yea-and-Nay

A standard vote that requires a simple majority for approval or passage of the legislation.

Result: Passed, 264-158, with 10 not voting. Date/time: February 4, 2009, 4:12 p.m.

Republican majority opinion: No

The position of more than 50 percent of voting Republicans. “None” means an equal split between “Yes” and “No.”

Democrat majority opinion: Yes

ABA